Blakes of Chesterfield, the four-outlet group that also has dealerships in Matlock and Worksop, is not on the market, says David Murrayfield, managing director, dismissing industry speculation.

The group holds Vauxhall and Peugeot franchises.

“Like most groups that are any good, we receive approaches from time to time,” he says. “But we are not up for sale.

“I believe I know how the rumour might have been started by someone but there is no truth in it.” Murrayfield says trading for the family business has been tough in its area of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, but he believes no more so than for corresponding motor retail groups elsewhere.

Blakes’ enterprises include a bodyshop branded as a ‘car hospital’, and the group says it is one of only two Vauxhall VX220 repair specialists in the country.